Alright, Warscarz0r community, strap yourselves in for a trip down memory lane!
We’ve talked about the future of gaming, the wild world of modded 7 Days to Die, and even the boardroom drama shaping our industry. But sometimes, you just need to step back and remember why we fell in love with games in the first place. This week, I decided to do exactly that, diving headfirst into a true classic: Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time.
And let me tell you, it hit harder than a feral zombie on horde night.
This isn’t just about nostalgia; it’s a stark reminder of what classic games got right. The puzzles, the platforming, the combat—it all felt incredibly fresh, even 22 years later. So, grab your favourite beverage, get comfy, and prepare to be schooled by a prince who knows how to make an intro more fun than some entire modern games.
Want to see if this old-school magic still holds up? Check out the full VOD below!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4_1bR4GU20
The Nostalgia Trip: Why Prince of Persia Still Slaps
Salem and I kicked it old-school, all the way back to 2003, and honestly? The intro alone had more engagement than many current-gen titles. [03:35] We’re talking intricate puzzle-platforming, fluid combat, and a storytelling style that respects your intelligence. It makes you wonder what the heck happened to the gaming industry sometimes. [03:57]
- Mind-Bending Puzzles: This game isn’t afraid to make you think. The famous “axle puzzle” where you’re trying to figure out the right order to pick up and place gears had me genuinely stumped for a bit. [55:18] It’s the kind of challenge that feels incredibly rewarding when you finally crack it, making your brain feel like it’s actually getting a workout!
- Fluid Platforming & Dagger of Time Shenanigans: The acrobatic movement of the Prince is still smooth as silk. Running on walls, swinging from poles, timing those jumps just right—it’s incredibly satisfying. And then there’s the Dagger of Time. That magical rewind ability isn’t just a gimmick; it’s brilliantly integrated into both puzzles and combat, turning mistakes into learning opportunities and making you feel like a time-bending ninja. [27:14]
- Combat with Flair: Forget button-mashing. Prince of Persia combat is about timing, evasion, and using the environment. The “take-down technique” where you vault over an enemy and stab them from behind? Still cute, still effective. [30:27] And when you discover the dagger’s ability to stop time for enemies you strike, it adds a whole new layer of strategy. [36:12]
Old Game, New Challenges (and some familiar tech woes)
Of course, playing a game from 2003 in 2025 comes with its own set of “features.” I had to dive into mods to get a high-res texture pack [04:42] and even download patches to make it run on modern 1440p resolution with a controller. [08:39]
And let’s not forget the classic streamer struggles: mic short-circuiting, game audio blasting through speakers instead of headphones, and YouTube’s copyright police forcing us to skip the cinematics. [13:12] It’s all part of the charm, right?
But even with the technical gymnastics and a few frustrating camera angles, the core gameplay shone through. It’s proof that a fantastic game design truly stands the test of time.
The Warscar Verdict: Back to the Drawing Board, Industry CEOs!
My final takeaway? As I said at the end of the stream, big gaming corpo CEOs, you need to go back to the drawing board. [02:38:58] Learn from your history. Games like Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time prove that challenging gameplay, intelligent puzzles, and a compelling story can deliver an incredible experience that lasts for decades. It makes you think, it’s fun, and it has heart.
This isn’t just nostalgia talking; it’s a plea for quality. If a 22-year-old game can still captivate and challenge like this, modern titles have a high bar to reach.
